Pentax *ist DL review : With a compact, lightweight body, simplified operations and outstanding cost performance, the Pentax *istDL is designed to extend the advantages of high-quality digital SLR photography, including lens interchangeability, to photographers of all levels, even those who are unfamiliar with digital and SLR photography. The *ist DL SLR camera is not intended as a successor of the current Pentax *ist DS, but it surely is a digital reflex that looks rather similar to the *ist DS. The new *ist DL was designed as an affordable starter camera by further advancing Pentax’s digital camera develop-ment concepts of "user-friendliness" and "a harmony between ease of use and portability."

Pentax *istDL SLR - Value for money
Pentax is joining in with the digital reflex cameras for some time now, relatively quietly. The brand is aiming at the lower segment and Pentax is very strong here. Before it was with the analogue cameras, and now the same thing happens with the digital cameras. Take the Pentax *ist DL for instance. It's a camera with certain unique features. The large monitor stands out the most of course. The largest one in its class. And at the same time the Pentax *istDL is the smallest and cheapest digital reflex. But certainly not the least one. On the contrary, the Pentax *ist DL offers a lot of value for money.

Pentax *ist DL digital SLR - Light weight and Low price
The difference in price is interesting, some 150 euros. This low price makes the Pentax *ist DL the cheapest digital reflex camera for now (August 2005). And the smallest one, because Pentax still is an expert in manufacturing small cameras. The Pentax *istDL SLR also lost some weight compared to the *ist DS. This loss of weight is probably due to replacing the prism for mirrors. Normally the prism is situated inside the viewfinder of a reflex camera, but in the *ist DL digital SLR the light is being diverted to the ocular through mirrors. This technique is also used at the Canon EOS 350D and the Nikon D50. So it might not be a coincidence that these two cameras are the biggest competitors of the Pentax *ist DL digital reflex.

Pentax *ist DL - User-friendly automatic operations
The *istDL digital reflex is equipped with the innovative Auto Picture Mode, which automatically and instantly selects the most appropriate Picture mode from Standard, Portrait, Landscape, Macro or Action for a given subject or situation to assure the optimum combination of aperture, shutter speed, white balance, saturation, contrast, and intensity of edges. In addition, the built-in auto flash automatically pops up in dimly lit or backlit situations. As a result, even first-time digital SLR users can immediately produce high-quality digital images with minimal effort.

Pentax *istDL digital reflex camera - Digital camera review
The Pentax *ist DL continues with the familiar concept, a compact camera particularly aiming at the beginning photographer. The digital reflex camera will be available in silver and in black. If you purchase the Pentax *ist DL you will have the disposal of an enormous amount of lenses. Not only auto focus lenses can be used, but also the older manual lenses will fit the Pentax *ist DL SLR camera. Just like Nikon; Pentax kept the same mount on its new camera. Ideal for those who still have some lenses lying around. Keep in mind the focal lengthening of 1.5x. On paper the Pentax *ist DL seems a very attractive camera. We were the first to get the opportunity to test the Pentax *istDL for a longer period of time. Click on the related link below to enter our Pentax *ist DL review. Enjoy reading!